My cousin, Leroy A. Petry, is an Army Ranger who lost his right hand during a battle in Afghanistan. On July 12, during a ceremony at the White House, he will receive the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions — he saved two other soldiers — during that battle. This is the story of my experiences in Washington, D.C., to be there with family when "our hero" receives the military's highest honor.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Honor flight

What's it like to be the cousin of a Medal of Honor recipient on the way to his nationally televised ceremony? You get a few special perks at the airport, for one thing. Thanks to Southwest Airlines for recognizing my cousin by telling his tale over the speaker system as we landed in Baltimore. And thanks to our fellow passegers for offering their congratulations and support as the pilot asked that members of Leroy A. Petry's family be allowed to exit the plane first.

In Albuquerque, Southwest Airlines presented our family with two banners offering their well wishes to Leroy A. Petry. The banners were signed by members of the company and by fellow passengers. Below, Leroy's dad, Larry, poses with one of the banners.